When Should You See a Bone and Joint Doctor?

Are you struggling with persistent joint pain? Suffering from a sports injury that won’t heal? Experiencing limited mobility in your back or knees? A bone and joint doctor, also known as an orthopedist, may be able to help. Orthopedics is the branch of medicine that deals with the muscles, joints, bones, and connective tissue that make up your musculoskeletal system. Whether it’s providing relief for chronic joint pain, addressing sports-related injuries, or improving mobility, our orthopedic specialists at NCSH are here to help.

What Do Orthopedic Doctors Do? And Other Questions Answered

Orthopedic doctors treat a full range of musculoskeletal conditions and provide treatments, ranging from conservative, nonsurgical interventions to surgical procedures. Orthopedic doctors also work with patients to prevent injuries or to slow disease progression. Additionally, they may provide rehabilitation services to patients, recommend exercises and lifestyle modifications, and collaborate with physical therapists to help patients regain function and strength after an injury or surgery.

Some orthopedists have completed fellowships in a subspecialty, focusing their care more narrowly. For instance, orthopedic surgeons specializing in spine and back problems can help with conditions such as herniated discs, sciatica, or chronic back pain. Or, foot and ankle orthopedic surgeons may treat common issues, such as plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinitis, as well as complex deformities and fractures. You may wonder what doctor to see for knee pain. It would also be an orthopedist.

Orthopedic subspecialties include:

• Shoulder and elbow
• Hand and wrist
• Foot and ankle
• Spine and back
• Joint replacement
• Sports injury treatment (sports medicine)
• Trauma
• Oncology

What Are the Symptoms When You Should See an Orthopedist?

It’s essential to see an orthopedic specialist if you have:

• Joint, muscle, or bone pain that doesn’t resolve with at-home care.

• Pain that prevents you from doing normal activities or makes them very difficult.

• A significant decrease in mobility in a joint.

• Nerve-related symptoms, such as tingling, numbness, or weakness in your legs or arms.

• A joint, bone, or connective tissue injury.

If you’re in Durham, Raleigh, or anywhere in the North Carolina Triangle region and experiencing any of these symptoms, North Carolina Specialty Hospital is here to help.

What Conditions Do Orthopedists Handle?

At NCSH, we see the following conditions:

• Bone fractures, including foot and ankle fractures

• Ankle sprains and strains

• Ligament tears and tendinitis, including Achilles heel

• Plantar fasciitis, bunions, and flat feet

• Arthritis

• Back and neck conditions, including: herniated discs, sciatica, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, scoliosis, spinal infections, and tumors

• Limb abnormalities

• Bone cancer

• Repetitive motion injuries, like carpal tunnel syndrome

• Sports injuries

• Osteoporosis

What Treatments Do Orthopedic Doctors Provide?

At NCSH, our goal is to provide our patients with pain relief, improved mobility, faster recovery, a return to daily activities, and a better quality of life.

Based on your diagnosis and the severity of the condition, nonsurgical treatments may be recommended. These include over-the-counter or prescription medications, like painkillers and injections that reduce swelling or manage pain.

We may also recommend exercises, including stretches, strength training, or range-of-motion activities, to restore function or manage the symptoms of an injury. Additionally, we provide braces, casts, and splints to immobilize injured parts of the body.

However, if your condition warrants surgery, we provide a full range of orthopedic surgical options, which include:

• Joint reconstruction and partial or full joint replacements
• Arthroscopic joint surgery
• Ligament and tendon repair
• Carpal tunnel release
• Joint or spinal fusion
• Spinal disc replacement
• Internal fixation of broken bones
• Osteotomy for fixing bone deformities
• Removal of bone tumors

At NCSH, our orthopedic surgeons are trained and experienced in minimally invasive procedures, as well as surgeries that utilize robotic assistance. These high-tech treatment strategies accelerate patient healing, reduce the risk of complications, and decrease recovery time.

Do Orthopedic Doctors Always Recommend Surgery?

Some people resist going to an orthopedist because they worry the doctor will push for surgery. This is a common misconception. Orthopedic doctors use more conservative treatments first to help patients get relief from symptoms and improve function.

Get Award-Winning, Patient-Focused Orthopedic Care at NCSH

We have a long-standing tradition of providing patients with quality surgical care at our state-of-the-art medical facility and hospital for specialty surgery located in the Raleigh-Durham area. We are proud to have received 21 2025 CareChexⓇ Quality Awards for medical excellence.

Additionally, we receive high marks from patients:

“I just had back surgery here, and all I can say is wow!! Excellent experience with excellent staff. I highly recommend this place for your surgical needs.” (Patient Survey 2023, Facebook User/Review 2023.) Check out other patient reviews, awards, and recognitions.

When you’re ready to find an orthopedist that’s right for you, check with North Carolina Specialty Hospital. Explore our orthopedic specialists and request an appointment today.